Extract from Hansard
House of Commons
Thursday 10th November
(Mr Speaker in the Chair)
Oral or Written Questions for Answer
Written Answers
Mr Charles Capet (Rutland South) (Con):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he instructed that a six-man team, commanded by Captain R. Matthews of 41 Commando (RM), be sent into western Iran.
The Secretary of State (Mr John Davidson) [holding answer]:
No elements of the battlegroup of which 41 Commando forms part are currently deployed anywhere except within the territorial boundaries of Iraq excluding those elements which have been rotated back to the UK for post-operational tour leave.
Mr Charles Capet:
To ask the Secretary of State to confirm the specific whereabouts of Captain R. Matthews of 41 Commando (RM) at this date, if he is not in Iran. To ask if Captain Matthews is, in fact, in Iran, as information laid before us clearly indicates, what plans exist for extracting him and his team?
The Secretary of State:
It has never been the policy of this government, or any other government, to comment on operational details of the deployment of units which might now, or in the future, compromise the security of those units. It is therefore the case that we cannot comment on the whereabouts now, or in the future, of the individual named. It is certainly the case that this government has a strict policy of non-interference in the affairs of sovereign states such as Iran, and therefore in no circumstances would a unit of 41 Commando (RM) have been deployed outside the territorial boundaries of Iraq where all armed forces units currently so deployed are operating with the sanction of appropriate UN resolutions. It follows, therefore, that the individual named could not be in Iran since there is no legal sanction for any units to be in Iran.
Mr Charles Capet:
To ask the Secretary of State if it is possible that Captain Robert Matthews and his unit may have unintentionally strayed into Iranian territory whilst on legitimate duties inside Iraq close to the border, and in the region of Lake Qal al’ Dizah? If this should be the case what procedures exist for ensuring the safe return of units in these circumstances?
The Secretary of State [holding answer]:
We have not been advised of any accidental incursions but will continue to look into the matter as requested and will report to the House as and when any new information on this matter becomes available.